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Pork and Leeks in Avgolemono Sauce

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rating chicagocook
The pork was very tender but the lemon really overpowered all the flavors.  I would reduce the amount of lemon juice in this dish

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Pork and Leeks in Avgolemono Sauce

  • make ahead MAKE-AHEAD
  • staff favorite STAFF FAVORITE
ACTIVE TIME: 30 MIN
TOTAL TIME: 1 HR 40 MIN
SERVES: 6
Bordeaux-trained winemaker Evangelos Gerovassiliou sometimes hosts lunches in the sleek upstairs tasting room at Domaine Gerovassiliou, which overlooks the vineyard. He loves serving this delicate stew, which is enriched with a traditional avgolemono of egg yolks and lemon juice that's been whisked into the delicious cooking juices.
ingredients
  • 2 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 celery ribs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large carrot, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 large leeks, white and tender green parts only, sliced crosswise 3/4 inch thick
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons chopped dill
directions
  1. In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, combine the pork, beef broth, water, celery, carrot and olive oil and bring to a simmer. Cook over moderately low heat, skimming occasionally, until the meat is tender, about 1 hour.
  2. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat and vegetables to a bowl. Add the leeks to the casserole and bring to a boil, then simmer over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 20 minutes. Ladle 2 cups of the hot broth into a glass measuring cup.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the whole egg, then whisk in the lemon juice. In a small bowl, whisk the cold water with the flour, then whisk it into the egg mixture. Gradually add the reserved 2 cups of hot broth to the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Add this mixture to the casserole and simmer over moderate heat, stirring, until the sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Return the meat and vegetables to the casserole and reheat. Stir in the dill and serve.

MAKE AHEAD The stew can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

SERVE WITH Noodles, crusty bread, rice or orzo.

WINE Malagousia, a native Greek white grape that until recently seemed doomed for extinction, has a spicy nectarine flavor that's delicious with this lemony pork dish. The elegant 2005 Domaine Gerovassiliou is a standout.

From Greece's New Wine Gods
This recipe originally appeared in October, 2006.